Author: KVIA

Hillary Floren

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — A baby great horned owl, named Hootie, is on the path to recovery and slated for release in the coming weeks after being found on ABC-7’s Hillary Floren’s lavender farm in Tularosa and received care from multiple wildlife organizations.

Cressie Drummond was out for her morning walk when she spotted the owlet on the ground just on the edge of the border of the farm. Drummond said Hootie was just looking at her and she described him as a “white fluff ball”.

Hilary’s family came and picked up Hootie, keeping him safe overnight from the elements and predators in the area. The next day, Hootie embarked on his first road trip to the Second Chance Wildlife Rehab Center in El Paso, followed by a transfer to the El Paso Zoo for further care.

At the El Paso Zoo, Dr. Vikki Milne, the chief veterinarian and director of the Raptor Rehab Program, treated Hootie for a significant infection. The Raptor Rehab Program at the El Paso Zoo rescues and treats more than 100 birds of prey annually.

During his two weeks at the zoo, Hootie nearly doubled in size. Staff closely monitored the owl’s health, particularly his hearing.

Following his time at the zoo, Hootie took a third road trip to Gila Wildlife Rescue in Silver City, N.M., where he continued to grow and develop feathers. Here, the focus shifted to teaching Hootie self-sufficiency.

Dennis and Denise Miller, who operate Gila Wildlife Rescue, have saved approximately 12,000 animals over the past 47 years. Their work primarily involves orphaned birds and some mammals, such as bobcats and deer. Miller described their dedication as a “calling.”

The Millers spend $12,000 annually on food for the animals and do not take vacation days. They have also authored a book featuring their numerous rescues. Miller considers the release of animals “almost a spiritual experience.”

Hootie the owl is scheduled to be released back onto the lavender farm in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for more information!

Dennis & Denise Miller’s book, “Keeping Them Wild,” is an impressive collection of stories and photos featuring animals they rescued over the years. The book features QR codes that can be scanned for more informatino, and even video of various releases. It’s truly heartwarming and educational. You can buy the book here: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=keeping+them+wild+book&crid=QKFNSFZT7IVE&sprefix=keeping+them+wild+boo%2Caps%2C306&ref=nb_sb_noss

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Bea Martinez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The highly-anticipated showdown between Stephanie Han and Holly Holm is less than 24 hours away. The ceremonial weigh-ins will take place at 6 p.m. Friday at the El Paso County Coliseum.

The fight brings two experienced fighters with plenty to prove.

In Saturday’s fight, Han will look to defend her WBA Lightweight title in front of her home crowd.

ABC-7 will be live at the weight-in during our 6 p.m. newscast.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — A former candidate for El Paso City Council, District 5, was arrested on charges including indecency with a child, possession of child pornography and child sexual assault, according to jail records.

An arrest affidavit for Sean Austin Orr said he was accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old child between February and May 2023.

An El Paso Police detective helped special agents with Homeland Security Investigations with a case involving child sexual abuse material uploaded to the internet, documents said. Agents linked Orr to the pictures and believed he made some of the images.

HSI agents identified the victim in the videos and pictures, who said she met Orr when she was 13 years old, documents said. The victim said she became friends with him on social media and “hung out a few times,” according to the affidavit.

The victim said she and Orr “dated for about four months” when she was 15 or 16 years old, documents said. Orr new about her age, the victim said, according to documents.

According to another arrest affidavit, Orr allegedly made child sexual abuse material videos of the victim.

HSI agents learned the child sexual abuse materials were uploaded to a free Russian digital storage website, documents said. Agents linked the albums to Orr after finding his email.

Orr applied to be on the November 2024 special election ballot as a city representative candidate, according to documents. He applied with the same email linked to the child sexual abuse material, according to the affidavit.

Sean Austin Orr was arrested and booked into the downtown jail Thursday. Records said his bond totaled $1.1 million. His charges included:

Indecency with a child sexual contact ($250,000)

Three counts of possession with intent to promote child pornography ($600,000)

Sexual performance of a child ($100,000)

Sexual assault of a child ($150,000)

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — El Paso County said it’s looking for firms to manage, operate, market and administrate the County Coliseum. Friday, the county sent a Request for Proposal process to keep continuity of operations while encouraging contractors to submit proposals.

The request means the county can solicit competitive proposals from qualified vendors for general services, consulting, operational support or contract work, according to the county.

The county is calling for “experienced contractors with a proven track record in managing government-owned facilities.”

A pre-proposal conference and walk through will take place June 2a t 10 a.m. at the County Coliseum (4100 E. Paisano Dr.).

Proposals are due June 25 at 2 p.m., the county said.

ABC-7 has been following county commissioners’ vote to move forward with the RFP process to find new management. The decision opens up the facility’s management rights after 23 years under the current arrangement.

Interested contractors can send proposals as hard copies to the Purchasing Office at 800 E. Overland Ave.Ste. 300 or electronically to epcountypurchasing.ionwave.net.

More information on the request documents can be found here.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Motorcyclists are more vulnerable in traffic due to their smaller size and reduced visibility, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office said. With increased motorcycle crashes in the county, the sheriff’s office shared safety tips for all drivers.

“We all have to be driving defensively, and so that’s all we ask,” Chief Deputy Emmanuel Soria said. “Have a good time, but do it responsibly.”

EPCSO said motorcyclists should:

Wear a Department of Transportation-approved helmet and protective gear

Follow the speed limit

Anticipate the actions of other drivers

Avoid riding in a car’s blind spot

Use turn signals and make your intentions clear to other drivers

If you’re on the road but not driving a motorcycle, EPCSO said you should:

Look twice for motorcyclists before changing lanes or turning

Check mirrors and blind spots carefully

Give motorcyclists a full lane to ride on

Keep a safe distance from others

EPCSO said many motorcycle crashes happen when drivers don’t yield to the right of way, especially on left turns.

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Gabrielle Lopez

CIUDAD JUÁREZ, Chihuahua (KVIA) — A Socorro man has been sentenced to three years and six months in a Juárez state prison, the The Chihuahua Attorney General’s Office said Thursday. His charges include homicide, property damage and bodily injury made during a crash in Juárez.

Investigators said Henry Raygoza caused a deadly crash that killed a 12, 14 and 16-year-old in June 2024.

It happened at the intersection of Bernardo Norzagaray Boulevard and General Rivas Guillén Street, officials said, near the Santa Fe Bridge.

Officials said Raygoza read-ended a Honda, which lost control, drove over a median and onto the opposite road facing the wrong way.

A semi then crashed into the Honda.

The crash injured others, damaged cars and municipal infrastructure, officials said.

Raygoza will serve at CERESO 3 prison.

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Rosemary Garcia

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — El Pasoan Betty Landin joined countless other business hopefuls aiming to be cast in the next season of ABC’s Shark Tank. The nationwide quest to find entrepreneurs for the upcoming season closed at the end of April.

Landin’s story of resilience begins in Tamaulipas, Mexico, where she was born to conservative parents. Landin was not allowed to go to school.

Landin longed to be an inventor, but decided to pursue business in Ciudad Juárez instead. She faced homelessness and would even become a single mother.

After moving to El Paso, Landin would invent the Wander Pillow, a neck pillow with a built-in hidden blanket. While her creation has already sold over 1,000 units, Landin is ready to take her business to the next level!

ABC-7’s Rosemary Garcia spoke to Landin about her journey to the United States, her ambitions of becoming an inventor and entrepreneur, and how she’s hoping to secure a spot on the popular hit TV show.

Watch Rosemary’s special report “Mompreneur” Wednesday at 10 p.m. only on ABC-7.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The El Paso Independent School District appointed a new district police service chief. Donica Pedregon made history as the district’s first woman to lead the department.

Pedregon joined EPISD’s police services in 2014 and has since served in several leadership roles, such as a field training officer. Her promotion to chief of police isn’t the first time she made history.

In 2021, she became the first female sergeant in department history and first female lieutenant in 2024, according to the district.

“I do not want to focus on me simply being a woman,” Pedregon said. “However, I do recognize the significance of this moment and what it represents for those who will some day follow the same path.”

She has more than 15 years in law enforcement experience inside and out of the district. She helped mentor and train future officers at the El Paso Community College Law Enforcement Academy, EPISD said.

Courtesy: EPISD

“As someone who has risen through the ranks of this department, it is the honor of a lifetime to now lead the outstanding men and women of the El Paso ISD Police Department,” Pedregon said.

Pendregon is also a U.S. Army combat veteran, according to EPISD.

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Rosemary Garcia

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA)—Just days away from Silva Magnet High School’s graduation ceremony, senior Josefina Cortez is eager to embark on the next chapter of her life.

At a young age, she realized she wanted to study medicine. She said her grandmother being diabetic and facing other health challenges fueled her passion.

Cortez is one of six children, and she’ll be the first in her family to graduate from high school and go to college.

Earlier this month, she earned her associate’s degree from El Paso Community College. At Silva Magnet, she was involved in multiple school clubs and extracurricular activities.

During her downtime, she helps her sister raise money for her cheerleading team by baking and selling banana bread. She said the extra money goes a long way.

“My mom being a single mom, it helps pay for my sister’s cheer expenses sometimes, even with home necessities. You know, my mom’s a little bit short. We use that money, and it’s definitely very helpful.”

Health Sciences and Technology teacher Edna Ramirez said Cortez has grit that sets her apart from other students.

“I see that she puts her mind to something, and there’s nothing that will stop her from achieving it. There’s, like, that grit to go for it and achieve what she’s looking for,” Ramirez said.

Cortez applied for the highly competitive UTEP Terry Scholarship. She said she almost didn’t apply, but her friends insisted. The moment she learned she had earned the scholarship was a special one.

“I just burst out into tears, you know, with my friends. And it was such a wholesome moment,” she said.

Ramirez said the exciting moment happened during her class. She said she was:

“Crying with her. We were so happy because I know she’s like, you know, just screamed at the top of her lungs. And I turned around, and I was like, what’s going on? And she’s like, I got it. And I immediately knew that it was that. So we, I know the entire class was emotional. We were just so happy for her,” Ramirez said.

Cortez said she is proud to be a first-generation college student. She wants to continue on this path to inspire all of her siblings, her mother, and her grandmother!

She said she’ll be studying science and nursing at UTEP next fall. She dreams of becoming a pediatric oncology nurse.

Congratulations, Josefina!

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office said it charged a man for animal cruelty after finding an underweight dog with visible bones.

On Memorial Day, deputies helped the Animal Welfare Unit with an investigation on the 13300 block of Estancia de Misiones Street off S San Elizario Road.

They found a medium-sized pit bull in “extremely poor physical condition,” according to the sheriff’s office.

The dog looked malnourished with visible ribs, spine and hip bones, EPCSO said. The sheriff’s office said the dog had a hard time moving and needed help.

Deputies contacted the owner, Manuel Salazar Jr., and took him into custody after an investigation, EPCSO said.

He faced an animal cruelty charge and was booked into the county detention facility on a $2,000 bond.

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